DCA: Seaside Heights owners won't have to pay APK towing fee

Agreement makes sure Seaside Heights residents won't foot bill

Nov. 21, 2012

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@OglesbyAPP

HOW TO RECLAIM YOUR VEHICLE:To reclaim property, registered owners should check the list of vehicles and watercraft online at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov/APK.pdf to find their property. Owners unable to view the list online should call the Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846. Owners will be able to reclaim the vehicles between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and at additional times to be determined next week. Vehicles towed prior to the storm are not included in the agreement.

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SEASIDE HEIGHTS — Borough residents whose cars and boats are in the possession of a Toms River towing company accused of price gouging in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy will be able to reclaim their property without paying towing bills, according to the state Division of Consumer Affairs.

APK Towing of Toms River is being investigated by authorities after some Seaside Heights residents accused the company of price gouging. Some residents said they were charged as much as $900 per vehicle to reclaim their property. The borough permitted only APK to tow vehicles after the storm.

“We have brokered an agreement that ensures Seaside Heights residents will not have to await the resolution of ongoing investigations into the legality of the towing company’s activities before claiming their vehicles,” state Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said in a prepared statement. “Just as important, it also ensures those residents will not have to pay the towing bills.”

APK attorney Steven Secare said last week the company fired a worker responsible for billing errors. The attorney could not be reached Tuesday night for comment.

Mayor William Akers of Seaside Heights declined to comment Tuesday because he said he wants to protect the investigation.

The agreement was signed Tuesday by Eric T. Kanefsky, acting director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, and Matthew Zucaro, president of APK Auto Repair Corporation. APK admits no wrongdoing in the agreement.

Under the terms, APK will release and return the vehicles, without cost, that the company removed from the borough between noon Oct. 27 and midnight Nov. 9.

“The bottom line here is that these vehicles were towed due to no fault of their owners,” Kanefsky said in a prepared statement. “Since we learned about this situation, our top priority has been to help the consumers reclaim their property — and spare them from towing fees that were not their responsibility.”

It was unclear Tuesday whether residents who already paid the towing fees will receive any reimbursement.

“We’re working toward resolving that,” said Jeff Lamm, spokesman for the division. “It’s still an outstanding issue we need to resolve with the towing company.”